Blocking form



Dec. 6, 1938.- B. L. LAFARGUE BLOCKING FORM F iled Sept. 15, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. BEEN/1CD L. L A FA RGUE ATTORNEY.

Dec. 6, 1938. I B. L. LAFARGUE BLOCKING FORM Filed Sept. 15, 1936 2 SheQtS -Sheet 2 \QQQ @ QQQQQQQQ Q Q Q v INVENTOR. I BERNARD L.LAFARSUE BY W Q 7 ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 6, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT j OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to a blocking form.

An object of this invention is to provide a blocking form, and particularly a blocking form for garments for use by cleaners and laundrics and the like, in which the desired contour of the garment can be accurately preformed with great facility and ease.

Another object of the invention is to provide a blocking form wherein the contour is formed by flexible outline members which are adjustable individually at all points both before and after the garment is placed on the form.

Another object of the invention is to provide separate lateral adjustments for opposite flexible contour members of a blocking form wherein equal opposed lateral adjustments at substantially aligned points result in an increase or decrease of size at the lateral lines of adjustments in a measure twice as large as one of said individual adjustments in one direction.

Another object of this invention is to provide a blocking form which is highly useful and simple in construction. Convenience of arrangement, lightness and comparative inexpense of manufacture are further objects which have been borne in mind in the production and development of the invention.

I am aware that some changes may be made in the general arrangements and combinations of the several devices and parts, as well as in the details of the construction thereof without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the following specification, and as defined in the following claims; hence I do not limit my invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the said device and parts as described in the said specification, nor do I confine myself to the exact details of the construction of the said parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will be made manifest in the following detailed description and specifically pointed out in the appended claims, reference is had to the accompanying drawings for the illustrative embodiment of the invention, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front view of my blocking form.

Figure 2 is a front View of my blocking form in symmetrically collapsed or folded position.

Figure 3 is a fragmental View of the lateral adjusting means of my blocking form, showing the markings and mounting of the peg in the tubular contour member.

Figure 4 is a fragmental, sectional view of a modified embodiment of the mounting of the peg.

Figure 5 is a fragmental sectional View of a connection between a peg and the frame.

Figure 6 is a. fragmental View of a modified friction connection between a, peg and the frame. Figure '7 is a fragmental detail of the holder of the garment catch on my blocking form.

Figure 8 is a fragmental, sectional View of my device the section being taken on the line 88 of Figure 1.

Figure 9 is a perspective View of a modified embodiment of my blocking form, and

Figure 10 is a perspective View of another modified form of my blocking form.

It is important in the cleaning and laundry trade and the like, that garments after cleaning or washing retain their proper original shape and dimensions. For this purpose the garment is either blocked before drying, or it is stretched on a blocking form. The relative dimensions of garments at various points, such as at the shoulders, or bust, or Waist, or at the lower fringe, are of a great variety and it is insuificient to block merely to a size according to the shoulder dimensions only, or according to any other lat eral dimension alone. The dimensions of a garment should accurately fit throughout the entire length. My device permits easy adjustment and fitting of the contour of a forming block to every curve and shape of a garment by individual shaping at all points of its length.

In carrying out my invention I make use of a frame which is preferably constructed of a pair of spaced parallel bars H, the upper ends 3 of which are formed into coniplemental halves of a garment hanger l2. A hook l3 extends from the hanger i2 whereby the whole form can be suitably hung. The symmetrical halves of the hanger l2 and the bars H are connected to each other at spaced points by hinges Hi. All the hinges 14 are in registry with the longitudinal center line of the frame of the blocking form.

Each bar H is provided with a series of spaced holes it extending transversely of the frame. In 4 each of the holes is is frictionally held a rigid spacing member such as a peg ll. The inner end of each peg I1 is free and extends into the space between the bars El so that it can be engaged manuallyfor pushing the pegs l'l outwardly for adjustment. It is to be noted that the holes IS in one bar II are offset relatively to the corresponding holes IS in the other bar H so as to allow the ends of the opposite pegs H to pass and overlap each other. Thus the use of longer pegs and a larger variety of adjustments are feasible in a comparatively narrow frame.

On the outside end of each series of pegs I1 is a flexible contour member, in the present instance a flexible tube such as a rubber hose l8. The outer end of each peg I1 is secured to the respective hose l8 by means of a screw l9 secured in the end of the peg l1, and the eyelet head 2| of the screw l9 which is inserted into a small hole 22 on the inside of the hose l8. The hole 22 is stretched by bending the hose 18 at the desired point and allows the insertion of the head 2 I, which latter cannot be removed without again bending the hose i8 outward. This connection affords a rotatable connection between the hose l8 and the pegs ll without twisting the hose l8 sidewise. The head of the screw may be also a button head 23 as shown in Fig. 4. When thus assembled there is a hose IS on each side of the frame, outside of each bar ll so that the entire blocking form is substantially in a flat plane.

In order to render the frictional contact between the pegs ll and the holes H5 firmer an additional friction element may be provided. For instance as shown in Fig. 5, one or more rubber washers or bushings 24 may be inserted into each hole l6 which grip the pegs ll firmly in any position. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6 an exterior friction member is provided in the form of a rubber pad 26 urged against the peg ll by means of a coil spring 21 which latter is disposed around a guide stem 28 in a fixed bracket 29 on the bar H.

Each peg ll has a series of markings 30 thereon, which are experimentally determined, so that each marking when aligned with a longitudinal edge of the respective bar H indicates the size or dimension of the adjusted contour at that point. It is to be understood that for a given size or dimension at any one point both of the opposed pegs may be adjusted to the same, selected marking in their respective bars ll, thus the resulting adjustment is twice the distance of the individual adjustment of one of said pair of pegs H. The inner ends of the pegs I! are suitably mitered or rounded so as to allow the insertion of a finger for adjustment or stretching even when the garment is on the blocking frame without tearing the garment.

The adjustments of the opposed pegs ll are preferably symmetrical. Therefore at the initial adjustments the frame is folded around the hinges [4 as shown in Fig. 2, so that the contour members or hose l8 are substantially superimposed upon each other. In this manner both halves of the blocking form can be adjusted minutely to any desired curve symmetrically throughout the entire length of the form. Then the frame is unfolded and the garment is drawn over the preset contour in the usual manner. If the garment is wet it will dry into the proper shape. If the garment is already dry then preferably a wet steam jet is played upon the garment stretched on the blocking form, and in some instances a suitable starching spray is also applied.

For lengthwise stretching of the garment a garment catch is provided which may be placed along the length of the frame at various locations as desired for instance for coats or sweaters, or for skirts, or for long dresses. The same catch may be used for upward or downward stretching. The garment catch herein illustrated includes a flanged holder 3| on which is a pair of central retainer channels 32. A base 33 slidably fits into said channel 32 and has thereon inclined bristlelike fingers or prongs 34. On the opposed flanges of the holder 31 are aligned apertures 35 narrowing both upwardly and downwardly so that the head 36 of a supporting button may be extended through the middle of each aperture 35 and the thinner neck of the head 36 slides into the narrower extensions of the aperture 35 according to whether the pull is exerted upwardly or downwardly by the garment. It is to be noted that the retaining channels 32 are transverse to the frame bars II when the holder 3| is in place. It is preferable to use two separate units of the catch heretofore described arranged in alignment on the respective bars ll, so that the frame is foldable even with the catch assembled. Thus the bases 33 and the bristles 34 therewith are adjustable transversely of the bars II to the full width of the blocking frame between the contour members or hose 18. If it is desired to stretch the garment downwardly, then the bristles 34 are inclined downwardly as shown in Fig. 8, so as to prevent the garment from springing back from the stretched position. If the garment is to be stretched upwardly then the base 33 is inverted so that the bristles 34 incline upwardly. Thus the cloth of the garment slides over the inclined bristles 34 while being stretched but it is caught in the bristles 34 when it tends to spring back from the stretched position.

There are a plurality of spaced supporting buttons 36 along the length of the bars II and a holder 3| may be arranged in any selected position by placing it on a selected pair of buttons 36. If necessary more than one of such garment catches may. be used, one at each end of a garment, working in opposite directions, and each catch is adjustable to the adjacent width of the contour so that the garment can be evenly held throughout its full width.

The modified embodiment of my blocking form illustrated in Fig. 9 is adapted to be used for slacks and trousers or the like, as well as for skirts and other garments. Parallel spaced frame bars 38 are connected to each other at the top and at an intermediate point which latter is spaced from the lower end of the frame sufficiently far to accommodate the legs of trousers of the usual length. The frame is open at the bottom, so that two legs 39 are formed upon which trouser legs may be blocked. Each of these legs have pegs ll frictionally held therein for lateral adjustments as hereinabove described, so as to adjust the contour of flexible, tubular members 18. Such contour lines may be also formed between the legs by similar, but shorter, tubular members 4| on the ends of alternate overlapping pegs 42. The frame members 38 are provided with rows of buttons 36 on which a garment catcher may be held as heretofore described in connection with the embodiment in Figure 1.

In addition if so desired the seat of trousers or the like may be shaped by opposed, short flexible contour members 43 supported on alternately overlapping pegs 44 which latter are frictionally held in holes 46 in the respective frame members 38 above the legs 39. The holes '46 and the pegs 44 extend at right angles to the pegs ll so that trousers or the like can be blocked all aroundvat the seat portion.

Another embodiment of my invention is illustrated in Figure 10. This embodiment is particularly adapted for use in blocking trousers or the like and it consists of parallel spaced frame bars 41 connected to each other at the top 48 and at an intermediate point 49 spaced from the top 48. The bottom ends of the bars 41 are left spaced so as to provide an elongated space for the drawing of the legs of trousers upon the respective lower portions of the bars 41. Each bar 41 is provided with a series of holes 52 extended through the flat faces thereof at right angles to the plane of the frame from the front to the rear. Through each hole 52 extends a peg 53 and to the ends of alternate pegs 53 of each series are secured flexible contour members 54 such as a rubber hose as heretofore described, so that there is a flexible contour member 54 along each face of each bar 47 the curvature of which is determined by the spacing of the alternate pegs 52 from the adjacent face of a. bar 41. The pegs 53 are frictionally held in the holes 52. Thus there are two spaced flexible contour members in the front and two in the rear of the frame upon which trouser legs may be blocked on their usual crease. The lateral blocking of the seat or upper portion of the trousers is achieved by laterally extended pegs 56 frictionally held in holes 5'! in the upper portions of the respective bars 41. Each series of lateral pegs 56 has a flexible hose 58 or the like secured thereon which is shaped in the manner heretofore described.

The blocking forms heretofore described can be used for a large variety of garments, both as to shapes and sizes, even irregular shapes can be taken care of if necessary. The blocking form may be used for forming, as well as stretching both laterally and longitudinally. Sharp curves can be formed in the contour because of the separate individual adjustments at each pair of opposed pegs. The device is simple, easy to adjust, operate and handle, and therefore it is readily adapted for application by labor ordinarily available.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a blocking form for garments, the combination with a frame, and spaced, flexible contour members arranged in substantially the same plane, of a series of spaced pegs extended outwardly from said frame to each contour member, each of said pegs being frictionally held in place on said frame and having its inner end free for application of manual outward adjusting force and having its outer .end connected to the respective contour members for holding the latter in adjusted shape.

2. In a blocking form of the character described, a. frame, spaced longitudinal members on the frame, a flexible contour member spaced outside of each frame member, said frame members and said contour members being substantially in the same plane, said frame members having a series of transverse holes therethrough, and a series of pegs frictionally held in each series of holes, the opposed series of holes and pegs being offset relatively to each other so as to allow the free ends of the adjacent opposed pegs to overlap each other, the outer ends of said pegs being connected respectively to said contour members so as to hold said contour members in a continuous preadjusted contour line.

3. In a blocking form, a frame, a flexible contour member arranged in spaced relation along each side of the frame, and laterally adjustable means of connection between said contour members and the frame, said frame being longitudinally and symmetrically foldable so as to bring said contour members in superimposed position relatively to each other for facilitating relative adjustment of said contour members.

4. In a blocking form, a frame, a flexible contour member spaced from each side of said frame, a plurality of lateral pegs adjustably extended from each side of the frame and being connected to the respective contour members, and means to frictionally hold said pegs in place, said frame being symmetrically foldable upon itself so as to hold said contour members superimposed upon each other for accurate relative adjustments.

5. In a blocking form the combination with a longitudinal frame and flexible contour members spaced from the frame; of a plurality of rigid members, said frame having a plurality of apertures, each rigid member extending through one of said apertures and having its outer end connected to one of said contour members, and resilient friction pads secured on the frame adjacent each rigid member to frictionally engage and hold the respective rigid members.

6. In a blocking form the combination with a longitudinal frame and flexible contour members spaced from the frame; of a plurality of rigid members, said frame having a plurality of apertures, each rigid member extending through one of said apertures and having its outer end connected to one of said contour members, and means to frictionally hold each rigid member in place, the inner ends of said rigid members being free to access for the application of outward force for adjustment.

'7. In a blocking form the combination with a frame, flexible contour members spaced from opposite sides of the frame, and adjustable connecting means between the contour members and the frame; of a garment catch adapted to engage the garment at a predetermined point relatively to the frame, said garment catch comprising a holder adapted to be held in a selected position along the length of the frame, and a member having a plurality of bristle-like catching members and being adjustable in said holder transversely of the frame and toward and away from said contour members.

BERNARD L. LAFARGUE. 

